Ultimate Southern France

After your arrival at Nice Airport, you are transported to your lavish hotel in Monte Carlo. Meet your Travelling Concierge and fellow travellers at 18:00 for a Welcome Dinner by the Fontvieille marina. Tonight, see the Grimaldi Palace as you travel along the legendary Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit.

Marvel at the breathtaking coastline from the corniche on your way to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and join a Local Expert to visit the opulent Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and its gardens. Built by the passionate art collector Madame Ephrussi, she gathered the best from each era including delicate pieces of furniture once belonging to Marie Antoinette. Continue your scenic sojourn to Nice. Your Journey, Your Way. Choose to join a Local Expert to take a walk through the charming streets of Old Nice and see the Opera, the antique market, and the St Reparate Cathedral. Alternatively, visit a private beach and relax in a reserved comfortable sun lounger with a cocktail in hand as you marvel at the turquoise waters of the Bay of Angels.

Travel to Sainte-Maxime and take a short boat ride to spectacular St. Tropez. The town shot to stardom after Brigitte Bardot’s classic “And God Created Woman” and has maintained a reputation of hedonistic lifestyle ever since. Join a Local Expert to discover the remains of ancient walls, medieval towers and see the landmark Notre Dame de l’Assomption. Taste the local Tarte Tropézienne pastry at the bakery where it was first created in the 1950s. Arrive to magical Provence and to the immaculately renovated, 18th century Château de Fonscolombe, your splendid accommodation for the next three nights. Dine tonight at your hotel’s L’Orangerie Restaurant serving flavourful and creative dishes.

Cultural and gastronomic highlights await as you explore lively Aix-en-Provence and the surrounding countryside. Join your Local Expert and walk through the maze-like streets of the Old Town and see the Aix Cathedral. Follow in the footsteps of the city’s native Paul Cezanne along the tree-lined Cours Mirabeau and dine at a French bistro in the heart of the Mazarin district. Afterward, take part in an engaging cooking class where you’ll join a professional chef while learning how to make a seasonal and classical French dessert. Your Journey, Your Way. Stop by the stunning Château La Coste, an excellent winery and open-air museum. Choose to join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience to sample the estate’s organic wines and visit their one-of-a-kind contemporary wine cellar. Alternatively, join a Local Expert for a relaxed walk among olive groves and woods to discover the installations created by the best modern artists and architects.

Spend the morning in the calm surroundings of your hotel; stroll or cycle in the Château gardens, try your hand at the classic French game of pétanque or simply relax by the pool. In the afternoon, head to the seaside of Cassis. Board your private cruise to journey through Calanques National Park to admire the towering limestone cliffs and the long, narrow and deep fjord-like inlets. As the crowds disappear upon your return to Cassis, enjoy the calm charm of the fishing village while indulging in a divine seafood dinner.

Today is dedicated to quintessential French experiences. Start by visiting the village of Lourmarin and browse the stalls of its famous market. Next, take a seat in your vintage Citroen 2CV and embark on a chauffeured drive through the hilly countryside. Arrive at the Domaine de la Citadelle, an acclaimed winery, and tour its grounds before diving into a picnic lunch. Try a selection of Provencal favourites paired with local wine. Later, arrive to riverside Avignon and see the famous Pont d’Avignon, the impressive city walls and the Papal Palace.

Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to Château d’Estoublon, known for its certified Protected Designation of Origin olive oils, expertly crafted from five varieties native to the region. Next up is a dazzling light and sound show at the Carrières de Lumières, projected in an abandoned limestone quarry with a nod to an ever-changing selection of renowned artists. Afterward, you’ll travel to Arles with your Local Expert to take in the sites of the first century Roman Amphitheatre and to discover the profound influence Aries had on Vincent Van Gogh. Back in Avignon, take a moment to slow down and let your mind wander as you are treated to an intimate private concert with a local singer at the quaint Oratory Chapel, opened specially for you. Indulge in a superb dinner at the Michelin-starred La Vieille Fontaine. The elegant Provençal restaurant serves well-crafted modern cuisine, a gourmet affair to remember.

Visit the Pont du Gard, an exceptionally well-preserved Roman aqueduct. Journey through the remarkable Camargue nature reserve, the delta area of the Rhône River and home to the distinct Camargue horse breed. Head inland and cross the Millau Viaduct, the tallest road bridge in the world. Arrive in Albi at your charming, upscale hotel on the bank of River Tarn.

Discover the UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Town of Albi with your Local Expert. It remains a largely unchanged ensemble of monuments and landmarks dating from the 10th to 13th centuries. Your Journey, Your Way. Choose to visit the dominant St. Cecilia Cathedral, whose plain exterior is in stark contrast to its flamboyant Gothic interior covered in religious art. Alternatively, visit the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum, celebrating the town’s own artist with the largest collection of his works worldwide.

Take the panoramic route through the evergreen oak forests in the Dordogne country. Enjoy dramatic views of hilltop castles facing each other across the river, and pass through an array of medieval villages and towns thought to be among the prettiest in the country. See Château Milandes, once the home of French-American actress and freedom fighter Josephine Baker. Tonight, arrive to your sublime hotel in Bordeaux facing the emblematic Grand Théâtre.

Your Journey, Your Way. With the help of your Local Expert, choose to learn about the impressive 18th century architecture of Vieux Bordeaux, which was financed by the colonial trade. See the Triangle d'Or and the magnificent Esplanade des Quinconces. Alternatively, explore on a relaxing bike tour. Enjoy a beautiful loop of the Garonne river, pass through the Chartrons district, and stop in the picturesque Jardin Public. Tonight, conclude your journey with a superb dining experience at the historic Château du Ferrand, where you toast to your travels during your Celebration Dinner.

After breakfast you are transferred to Bordeaux Airport as your Luxury Gold journey comes to an end.